The Key Cents- $100.000 Purse
AQU- For Fillies Two Years Old Foaled in NY
Six Furlongs on the Dirt
November 22, 2015

It always did appear as though the second running of the Key Cents was going to come down between Pink Candy Stripes and Swarley Kapai.  The two young fillies spent much of the race together, each sitting off of the pace to begin with, and each putting together a great stretch run.  However, they never could separate themselves from one another, and after a close examination of the photos, the stewards had no other option but to declare the race a dead heat between them.  Blushing Meadows and Grimley will share the distinction of winning this race and, perhaps more importantly, can each be very excited about where their young filly might take them as a three year old next year.  It was an entertaining race, so let’s take a deeper look at it.

1st (dh)- 3- Pink Candy Stripes (5/2)- Got off to an average start for her tainer, Blushing Meadows.  J R Velazquez kept her within reach of the leaders, but was not concerned about the fractions being set.  Pink Candy Stripes handled the turn well, and was in an all out stride by the time they reached the top of the stretch.  Since Indulgence had packed it in, the lane along the rail opened up for Pink Candy Stripes and Velazquez wasted no time in seizing this opportunity. Swarley Kapai started to look like she was going to have just a little bit more in her to get to the wire first, so Pink Candy Stripes is to be commended for the heart and desire that she showed in fighting back and earning the dead heat in the last strides of the race.   The race winning time was 1:09.35, which beat last year’s time by .44 seconds.  Congratulations to the connections!  Pink Candy Stripes is a two year old filly by Rene and out of Gin Tonic. She was bred in New York by Blushing Meadows as a yearling, where she has raced her entire career.

1st (dh)- 6- Swarley Kapai (3/2)- The Grimley entry broke alertly out of the gate, but J J Castellano opted not to have her run with the pacesetters and would instead reign her a bit to be about three lengths back, where she would start racing side by side with Pink Candy Stripes.  They never would get away from each other.   On exit of the turn, Swarley Kapai was ready to make her dash to the wire, and was fortunate that had lane had opened up between Capitol Limited and Vaguely Pink.  If there had been just a brief hesitation, that would have cost her the share of the dead heat.  It looked like she may have held on at the wire, but the headbob likely was the difference here and she will have to share the win.  Congratulations to the connections!  Swarley Kapai is a two year old filly by Absolutely (by Swarley) and out of Pippi Kapai.  She was bred in New York by Grimley as a first quarter two year old, and they have been together throughout!

3rd- 5- Vaguely Pink (6/1)- Broke well out of the gate for her trainer, La Canada Racehorses, setting the opening quarter in :23.08, and leading the field into the turn.   She would concede the lead in the turn, but still handled it very well, and looked sharp as she hit the top of the stretch.  Reclaimed the lead with a furlong to go and tried to hang in there.  For a little while she would, but once the two co-winners got by, she seemed to lose some interest in the very late moments and was nearly caught for third.

4th- 4- Cool Wind (7/1)- As expected, the Hambletonian Stable entry started the race at the back of the back and planned on doing her best running late.  Throughout the turn and into the top of the stretch, Cool Wind didn’t really show any signs of beginning to make a hard charge to the front.  With about 1.3 furlongs to go, Cool Wind was told to go, and she really looked good once she hit her stride, though it began too late and would only get her by two horses, though she just missed third.

5th- 2- Capitol Limited (7/1)- Got off to the type of start that trainer Nynl Stables was expecting from her, second overall and about a half length behind Vaguely Pink.   She handled the turned well, and assumed the lead at the top of the stretch, setting the half mile fraction in :45.92.  Hung in there well, until the final furlong when Pink Candy Stripes zoomed by to her inside and Swarley Kapai did the same on her outside.   The final half furlong was a particular struggle, but the trainer is happy with some information learned from this race.

6th- 1- Indulgence (10/1)- Started well along the rail for Night Mare Racing.  Began to lose touch with the top two as they moved into the turn, and this would began a gradual drop towards the back as the second half of the race carried on.

Track: Fast
Time: :23   :45⁴  :57³  1:09¹

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 3 – 6 Paid 2.60, 6 – 3 Paid 1.90
$1 Trifecta: 3 – 6 – 5 Paid 4.00, 6 – 3 – 5 Paid 4.10

Scratched: None

Winner, Exacta, and Trifecta picked by NS

— NS

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded